Arizona Basketball: 2019-20 keys to victory for Wildcats against Baylor
By Connor Hope
Perimeter Efficiency
One area that both Arizona and Baylor excel at is their ability to convert on their shots from deep. Shooting 42.9% and 39.6% respectively, Arizona (6th) and Baylor (22nd) are each in the top 25 in the country in three-point field goal percentage. They both also have an issue defending the three-ball efficiently, both outside the Top 200 in opponent field goal percentage.
While Arizona limits their opponents to about 7.3 made threes per game, Baylor is giving up nearly 10 made threes per game, which the Wildcats must use to their advantage. If they can get Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Dylan Smith, Jemarl Baker, and Max Hazzard to attempt 16 or more three-pointers total, they should be in for another great offensive day.
However, offensive perimeter efficiency is not the only thing that should concern the Wildcats. Their ability to defend Baylor on the three-point line could be the deciding factor in this game. As stated, Baylor loves to shoot threes at a higher rate than Arizona, and this could even out the scoring a bit. If the Wildcat guards can stick on their man, and run them off the line, it would eventually force the Bears to play more in the paint.
The Wildcats clearly need to convert from deep to ensure they keep up their offensive scoring. If they can force the Bears to attempt more shots from the interior, and utilize their big men more, there will be a clear advantage for the Wildcats. This brings us to our next key to victory…